Bob Thompson – So Let us all be Citizens Too

David Zwirner proudly presents “So let us all be citizens too” at its London gallery. Ebony L. Haynes, senior director of 52 Walker, curated the exhibition. This group show honors the legacy of Bob Thompson, a prominent African American artist from the post-war era. It highlights his dynamic figurative style and bold use of color. The exhibition features contemporary international artists, revealing their connections to Bob Thompson’s work. Artists include Emma Amos, Michael Armitage, Betty Blayton, Vivian Browne, Beverly Buchanan, Lewis Hammond, Cynthia Hawkins, Marcus Jahmal, Danielle McKinney, Cassi Namoda, Chris Ofili, Naudline Pierre, George Nelson Preston, Devin Troy Strother, and Peter Williams. Concurrently, 52 Walker in New York hosts “Bob Thompson: So let us all be citizens.”

Bob Thompson’s career spanned only eight years, from 1958 until his death in 1966. He rejected abstract expressionism, forging his unique path. In 1959, he moved to New York, mingling with avant-garde jazz musicians like Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, and Nina Simone. Bob Thompson’s paintings reimagined art-historical compositions, using vibrant colors and flat, interlocking planes. He transformed classical figures, capturing the pleasure and turbulence of human life.

The exhibition’s title comes from a speech Bob Thompson gave as a teenager. It reflects his passion for freedom and expression. His peers also experimented stylistically during this rapidly changing era. Betty Blayton’s abstract tondos balance spiritual concerns with personal and collective experiences. Vivian Browne’s high-contrast paintings fluidly shift from figuration to abstraction.

The exhibition includes works by Bob Thompson from private collections, including a rare self-portrait. These pieces provide context, highlighting his influence on peers and subsequent generations. New York–based artist Naudline Pierre draws inspiration from Bob Thompson, recasting Christian iconographies. Marcus Jahmal’s paintings show spiritual ties to Bob Thompson, referencing Francis Bacon and Francisco de Goya.

International artists bring their own stories to figurative compositions. Chris Ofili merges abstraction and figuration, drawing from diverse sources like Zimbabwean cave paintings and blaxploitation films. Michael Armitage’s works shape real and imagined East African histories, reflecting complex sociopolitical and cultural contexts.